Immigration Minister questioned by Lords on European migration

31 October 2012

Mark Harper, Minister for Immigration, will appear before the House of Lords Home Affairs, Health and Education EU Sub-Committee on Wednesday 31 October, to talk about the EU’s Global Approach to Migration and Mobility (GAMM)

Witness

Mr Harper will be questioned on the Government’s position on different aspects of the EU’s migration and mobility policies paying particular attention to issues raised in previous evidence sessions, such as Charles Clarke’s assertion that "migration, along with police and security cooperation, trade and aid, should be integrated more effectively into the EU’s foreign policy machinery."

Mr Harper will face questions from the Committee including:

What is the Government’s experience so far of the GAMM and do you think it has been an effective way for helping the EU’s aims for migration policy?

What role do you think the EU should play in managing the high levels of migration to its southern Member States, such as Greece, Italy and Spain, in particular?

Do you have any concerns about the consequences of enlargement in terms of border controls, illegal immigration and crime?

Do you believe the calls put by several of our recent witnesses and by the BIS Select Committee in the House of Commons, for the Government to exclude international students from the public policy implications of its immigration policy are well founded?

Can you tell us a bit more about the Government’s intention to review the free movement of EU citizens in light of the Balance of Competences review?